Is there cartel activity and cartel crime in 2025 in San Felipe Mexico?

As of April 3, 2025, there is evidence suggesting cartel activity and related crime in San Felipe, Mexico, though comprehensive, verified data specific to this year and location is limited in the available sources. San Felipe, a coastal town in Baja California, has historically been a quieter area compared to larger cities like Tijuana or Mexicali. However, recent reports and discussions indicate that cartel influence and criminal activity have been increasing, particularly tied to drug trafficking and illegal fishing operations.

In late 2024 posts on platforms like X and forums such as Bloodydecks reported a wave of violence in San Felipe, including murders and a cartel-imposed ,curfew, attributed to groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) vying for control of smuggling routes and the illegal totoaba trade. One specific incident mentioned the killing of individuals at El Dorado Ranch and the owners of a local restaurant, suggesting a targeted escalation. Additionally, federal and state forces reportedly detained three sicarios (hitmen) linked to "La Chapiza" (a Sinaloa Cartel faction) in San Felipe in March 2025, pointing to ongoing enforcement efforts against cartel operatives.

Broader context from 2024 security analyses, such as those from Global Guardian and the Council on Foreign Relations, highlights a trend of increasing cartel violence across Mexico, driven by fragmentation and competition over lucrative markets like drug trafficking and fisheries. San Felipe’s proximity to the U.S. border and its position on the Sea of Cortez make it a strategic point for smuggling drugs and totoaba swim bladders, a high-value product in illegal trade. These dynamics likely persist into 2025, as cartels continue to diversify their operations beyond drugs into extortion and resource exploitation. Local sentiment, as reflected in X posts from early 2025, also expresses concern about a growing narco presence, with residents noting an influx of suspicious businesses and a sense of intimidation. While not definitive evidence, this aligns with patterns seen elsewhere in Baja California, where cartel activity has disrupted previously peaceful areas.

That said, the situation in San Felipe appears less intense than in cartel hotspots like Tijuana or Sinaloa, and violence is not necessarily widespread or constant. Much of the reported crime seems directed at rival groups or locals involved in illicit activities rather than tourists or unrelated residents. However, the lack of detailed, official 2025 crime statistics for San Felipe in the provided data means any assessment remains partly speculative. Given Mexico’s broader trend of escalating cartel conflicts under President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, which began in October 2024, it’s reasonable to infer that San Felipe is experiencing some level of cartel-related activity and crime in 2025, though likely on a smaller scale than major urban centers. For real-time specifics, local news or security advisories would be essential.